Felt Flower Pen

It is crazy to think that this is most likely going to be my last post of 2011.  

I just want to thank you for your continued support and love!!

I am hoping that 2012 brings lots of creativity, inspiration and new followers.

Let's get started with this easy project that makes a great gift for just about anyone.  I gave these to my team for Christmas. I got the idea after I purchased notepads for each teacher that had their initial on it.  I instantly wanted to make a matching pen to go with the notepad and thus you have the "Felt Flower Pen!"

Here is what you will need:

• Floral tape
• Hot glue gun
• Pens (as shown in the picture)
• Felt
• Scissors

Begin at the tip of the pen and wrap the floral tape up towards the other end.  Pull and spiral it tight, but not too tight or it will rip.

Lay your pen aside and cut a circle in your felt.  My was about 3 inches... I normally look for lids to jars or containers I have laying around the house and trace one of those.

Cut into your circle and then spiral in towards the center. 

You want a little circle in the middle that will be used to attach your flower to your pen.

Little dab of glue...

 and roll it up.

 This is the back of the flower when you are finished rolling. Add a little glue to hold in place.

Add a generous dab of glue and place your pen in the center. 

Cover the flap with glue and wrap it around the pen.

 It should look like this...

Cut out a leaf.  I just free hand a rhombus shape for the leaves.

Glue and wrap it so that it surrounds the open side and onto the flap. 

Take the floral tape; starting at the end of the leaf wrap up words the base of the flower and back down.  Rip it off and rub the end of the floral tape so that it blends. 

Ta-Dah!

They also look pretty bunched together in a jar or as a bouquet.  This would also make a great secretary or receptionist gift!

You can use the same technique for the flowers to create your felt flower headbands!!

Have a happy day.

-- Kristy

Linking to:

Blog Hop

Just thought I would let you know there is a blog hop going on over at "Kurtz Corner."  You can link up your homepage instead of a specific post. What a fun idea!!  

See if you can find Pocketful of Poise while you're there!!

If you want to participate, click the link below:

Sunday Social

~Happy Blog Hopping~

O Tannenbaum X2...

Here's, not just one, but TWO different tutorials to keep the Christmas spirit shining bright! It is the same concept, but different technique for each tree.  

I hope these pictures are okay... my Nikon wasn't charged so I resorted to using the iPhone. 

Here is what you will need:

• Scrapbook paper
• Styrofoam cones (this will be your biggest expense, but I got both of mine for under $12)
• Scallop punch
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun or straight pins

It is pretty straight forward; punch out your scalloped circles.  Start at the bottom and overlap each scallop as you pin them in.  You may also choose to hot glue them.  

Warning: it will sizzle and smell funny, but it does go a lot faster. 

When you get to the top, wrap two scallops around each other to form the point at the top of the tree.

Tannenbaum #2

For this tree you will cut 1 inch strips.

 Use the scissors to curl the paper, just like you would curl ribbon.

Cut the curled strip into small rectangles. They do not have to be the same length.

Again, start gluing around the bottom. 

Overlap the small strips as you work your way to the top. 

For the top of this one, I glued one piece flat on top before I glued the top row.  

 And there you go, two trees for the price of one!

Click here or here for other holiday decoration tutorials!

~Happy Holidays~

Linking up to:

Another WORD for Christmas

Noel (also spelled Nowell or Noël) is an alternate word for Christmas.

 I'm sure you have all seen this tutorial out there in blog world, but I thought I would give a few quick and easy tutorials this week to get in the Christmas spirit.  It started with my holiday wreath, which has been moved to it's new home, hanging from the mantle.  We now have a gorgeous, fresh L.L. Bean wreath hanging on our front door that was just sent to us in the mail. Thank you Aunt Lee!

Here is what you will need:

• Thick cardboard letters that can stand ($2.49 at Hobby Lobby)
• Holiday Scrapbook paper (.59 cent each BUT they are 50% off this week)
• Mod Podge or Spray Adhesive
• Brush
• Pencil and Scissors

 Lay out your paper.  Think about the colors and patterns... Then decide which paper will go on each letter.  Place your paper on the letter, flip it over and trace the letter.

Cut out your letter. 

Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge on the cardboard letter. This is the "glue" that holds your scrapbook letter in place.

Add Another thin layer on top. This is optional. It will just give the letters a shiny coat when it dries.

So simple and the possibilities are endless!

~Happy Noel~

Check back tomorrow for some cute scrapbook paper trees!  Don't forget to "like" Pocketful of Poise on facebook or tell your friends to follow the blog. I have an awesome giveaway when I hit 50 "likes" or 50 followers!

Little Man Birthday

In case you missed the behind the scenes and party tutorials for Jaxson's first birthday... it was a "Little Man" theme.  I wanted to share some fun pictures that we just got back from Shades of Grey Photography. If you ever need a photographer for any event or even just family photos, use them. Rob and Grey are so talented and amazing people. I love their family dearly!! Thank you to all the friends and family that came out. I will be getting thank-yous out now that I have the pictures. 

Anyway... Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!